On Fetiss Sky Island, Qing learns that the Rephidimite forces are going to be assaulting to take the island and the Boomer, and that the Nagai will be defending with the aid of their allies … but expecting to lose to the Rephidimites. Qing is insistent that if the Nagai explained that their use for this device would be peaceful and not for war, that there would be no such battle, and he doubts the wisdom of the Emperor-Potentate that this will somehow "destroy" the enemies of the empire. Qing's arguments, however, meet with deaf ears, as the mages prepare for the attack on the island.